Checker&#39;s pad holder



July 24, 1928. 1,677,977

J. H. MENAsco CHEGKERS PAD HOLDER Filed March 6, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ?.r .Z-

Wil/H Patented July Z4, 1928.

UNITED STATES JAMES H. MENASCO, 0F CUSHING, OKLAHOMA.

CHECKERS PAD HOLDER.

`Application filed March 6, 1928. Serial No. 259,492.

This invention relates to checkers pad holders and more particularly to a device for supporting a pad for use by persons checking cars or other units and making notes thereof which shall be usable under all circumstances and in all types of weather and which, when employed at night, supplies its own illumination bothk as to the pad upon which the notes are being placed by the checker and as to the object which is being checked.

An important object of the invention is to provide a pad holder havingmeans for directing a beam directly upon a pad supported thereby and a second beam away from the pad holder, so that it may serve to either illuminate the path of the user or an object which he must inspect in checking.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a device of this character, in which the lighting elements are selectively controllable to render either thereof inoperative or to render both thereof inoperative. h

A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction such that both lights may be intermittently operated or the outwardly directed beam may be continuously operated, while the beam illuminating the pad is only employed during the actual operation of jotting memoranda upon the pad and is automatically brought into operation by the application of pressure in making a note upon the pad.

A still further object of the invention is to produce a file or pad cover of this, character so constructed that a shield is provided, preventing moisture from contacting with the pad which may be removed in good weather, so that the necessity for transporting useless Weight is avoided while at the same time, the lighting facilities above described are provided.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a checkers pad holder constructed in accordance with my invention; Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view on `the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the wiring connections;

Figure 5 isa detail view showing the manner of constructing the switch 42 in combina,- tion with the switch contact36;

Figure 6 illustrates the manner in which the switch contact 34 is combined with one of the cell contacts;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of Figure 2. i

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a base which may be formed of any suitable insulating material. Secured to this base at one end is a hood 11 consisting of side and end walls 12 and 13 secured to the sides and ends of the base and a connecting top wall 14 for these side and end walls. The end wall 13 of this hood supports a reflector 15 similar to those employed in hand flash lights and providing a mounting for a bulb 16. This bulb when illuminated will, through its reflector and the associated lens 17 thereof, direct a beam outwardly from and longitudinally aligned with the base. Secured to the top wall 14 of the hood is a second reflector 18 having associated therewith an electrical illuminating element 19 which, when activated, directs a beam downwardly and rearwardly over the base 10.

Within the hood are arranged spring clips 20, each adapted to receive a battery cell 21 and securely hold the same. Each clip 20- embodies a spring contact strip 23 for engaging the central terminal 24 of the cell. Secured to the base beneath each clip is a spring contact strip 25 for engagement with the base of the cell. A suitable number of clips 2O and associated spring contacts 25 may be provided, three being illustrated in the present instance.

Upon the base is arranged a switch comprising a spring contact 26 carried by the base and a conducting plate 27 pivoted to the base, as at 28, and upon which a memorandum pad 29 engaged with a retaining clip30 carried by the base is to be disposed. The plate 27 is normally held outl of engagement with the spring contact 26 by a spring 31. The cells 21 are connected in series by proper connections between the clips 20 and spring contacts 25, as indicated at 32, and one terminal of this series is connected with one of the switch elements 26, 27, by a wire 33. To this wire is connected one contact 34 of a single-pole double-,throw switch, vthe blade of which is designated at 35, and the second Contact of which is designated at 36.

sov

The blade 35 is connected to one terminal of the illuminating element 16 by a wire 37. The second terminal of the illuminating element 16 is connected with one terminal of the illuminating element 19 by a wire 38 and this terminal of the illuminating element 19 is connected to the second terminal of the battery series by a wire 40. The sccond terminal of the illuminating element 19 is connected to the contact 36 of the singleblade double-throw switch by a wire 41. The contact 36 is connected to the second of the elements 26 and 27 through a. switch 42.

The operati-on of the structure so far described is as follows: Assuming that conditions are such that the operator does not desire the use of either of the illuminating elements 16 and 19, the double-throw singleblade switch and switch 42 are b oth opened and as will be seen from an inspection of the diagram, by this operation, the circuits of both illuminating elements are opened at points exterior to the switch formed by the elements 26 and 27 and may not be closed thereby. If it is desired that the illuminating element 19 be employed to illuminate the pad 29 during use thereof, the switch 42 is closed and the single-blade doublethrow switch left open. Under these conditions, when the operator places his hand upon the pad to make a memorandum thereon, the element 27 is depressed, engaging the contact 26. This establishes a circuit through the wire 40, 41, switch 42, the elements 26 and 27 and wire 33, the operation of the illuminating element continuing as long as the hand remains upon the pad `and discontinuing when the hand is removed therefrom. If conditions are such that at the time the operator is making a memorandum he desires an external light, as would be the case where the light was sufficiently clear to enable comfortable walking but was not sufficiently clear to enable markings of which memoranda must be made to be discerned, the blade 35 is engaged with the contact 36. This places the illuminating elements 16 and 19 inv parallel-and with the switch 42 closed at each engagement of the elements 26 and 27, both illuminating elements will be actuated.

Where it is desired that a steady operation of the illuminating element 16 be provided without operation of the illuminating element 19, the blade 35 is engaged with the contact 34 and the switch 42 opened. Under these circumstances, the circuit of the illu. minating element 19 is opened exteriorily to the elements 26 and 27. It will, of course, be obvious that by closing the switch 42 under these circumstances, intermittent operation of the illuminating clement 19 will be provided with continuous operation of the illuminating element 16.

A cover 43 for the base exteriorly to the hood is provided, this cover consisting of a U-shaped frame, the side walls 44 of which are provided at their lower ends with channels 45 receiving the side edges of the base. Both the side and upper walls are provided acent their inner or li'ood engaging ends, which telescopivcally engage in the hood, with a bead 46 engaging the hood to limit such telescopic engagement. This bead further serves to provide a shoulder for engagement by spring catches 47 carried by the hood to hold the cover 43 against displacement on the base. The upper wall of the cover has a transparent panel 48 through which the pad 29 may be observed, and has upon its side wall a clip 49 for supporting a pencil or other stylus for use with the pad. The outer end of the cover preferably has a wall 50 having a notch 51 of such size as to permit comfortable insertion of the arm.

It will be obvious that a structure of this character is 'capable of a certain range of change and modification without materially departing from the spirit of the invention and I accordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

1. In a pad support, a base, an electrical illuminating element for illuminating the base, a circuit for said illuminating element including a switch closed by the application of pressure to the pad, a second illuminating element for directing a beam outwardly from the base, and means for connecting said illuminating element in parallel with the first illuminating element operable to include said switch in or exclude said switch from the circuit of the second illuminating element.

2. In a pad support, a base, an electrical illuminating element for illuminating the base, a circuit for said illuminating element including a switch closed by the application of pressure to the pad, a second illuminating element for directing a beam outwardly from the base, means for connecting said illuminating element in parallel with the first illuminating element and means for opening the circuit of the first named illuminating element exteriorly to said switch.

3. In a pad support, a base, an electrical illuminating element for illuminating the base, a circuit for said illuminating element including a switch closed by the application of pressure to the pad, a second illuminating element for directing a beam outwardly from the base, -means for connecting said illuminating element in parallel with the first illuminating element operable to include said switch in or exclude said switch from the circuit of the second illuminating element,

and means for opening the circuit ofthe irst named illuminating element exteriorly to said switch.

4. In a pad support for memoranda pads, a base, a hood carried by one end of the base, means for supporting a pad upon the base, an electrical illuminating element and a reflector therefor carried by said hood and' adapted to direct light downwardly and outwardly upon the base to illuminate said pad, a circuit for said illuminating element including a spring open switch underlying the pad and applied to the base and closed by the application of pressure to the pad, a second illuminating element and a reector therefor carried by said hood and when actuated directing a beam outwardly from the base, and means for connecting said second illuminating element in parallel to the first named illuminating element.

5. In a pad support for memoranda pads, a base, a hood carried by one end of the base, means for supporting a pad upon the base, an electrical illuminating element and a reflector therefor carried by said hood and adapty ed to direct light downwardly and outwardly upon the base to illuminate said pad, a circuit for said illuminating element including a spring open switch-underlying the pad and applied to the base' and closed by the application of pressure to the pad, a second illuminating element and a reflector there`V for carried by said hood and when actuated directing a beam outwardly from the base, and means for connecting said second illuminating element in parallel to the first named illuminating element and operative to includey or exclude said switch.

6. In a pad support for memoranda pads, a base, a hood carried by one end of the base, means for supporting a pad upon the base, an electrical illuminating element and a reflector therefor carried bv said hood and adapted to direct light downwardly and outwardly upon the base to illuminate said pad, a circuit for said illuminating element including a spring open switch underlying the pad and applied to the base and closed by the applicatlon of pressure to the pad, and a shield detaehably engageable with the sides of the opposite end of the base and` having a transparent top through which a pad supported by the pad supporting means may be observed.

7. In a pad support for memoranda pads, a base, a hood carried by one end of the base, means for supporting a pad upon the base, an electrical illuminating element and a reiiector therefor carried by said hood and adapted to direct light downwardly and outwardly upon the base to illuminate said pad,

a circuit for said illuminating element 1ncluding a spring open switch underlying the pad and applied to the base and closed by the application of pressure to the pad, and a shield comprising sides and a top, the top being transparent, the sides at their lower endspha'ving grooves to slidably receive the side edges of the opposite end of the base.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature.

JAS. H. MENASCO. 

